Starman, by David Bowie, is part of the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, released in 1972. The song introduces the character Ziggy Stardust, an intergalactic messenger who delivers hope through the radio waves to Earths youth. Bowie drew inspiration from feelings of alienation and despair, but also used the track to express optimism and the possibility of salvation through music and love.
Key: Gm
Introduction:
Bb/A
F7M
Bb/A
F7M
Gm
Didn't know what time it was the lights were low-ow-ow.
F
I lean back on my radio-o-o
C
C7
Some cat was laying down some rock'n'roll,
F
G#
Bb
'Lotta soul' he said.
Gm
Then the loud sound did seem to fa-a-ade
F
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of pha-a-ase
C
C7
A
G
That weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive.
F
Dm
There's a starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He'd like to come and meet us
C
C7
But he thinks he'd blow our minds.
F
Dm
There's a starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He's told us not to blow it
C
C7
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile, He told me,
Bb
Bbm
F
D7
"Let the children lose it, let the children use it,
Gm
C
Let all the children boogie."
Bb
F
C
F
Bb
F
C
Gm
Well I had to phone someone so I picked on you-ou-ou
F
Hey that's far out, so you heard him too-oo-oo
C
C7
F
G#
Bb
Switch on the TV we may pick him up on Channel 2.
Gm
Look out your window I can see his li-i-ight,
F
If we can sparkle he may land toni-i-ight,
C
C7
A
G
Don't tell your papa or he'll get us locked up in fright.
F
Dm
There's a starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He'd like to come and meet us
C
C7
But he thinks he'd blow our minds.
F
Dm
There's a starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He's told us not to blow it
C
C7
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile, He told me,
Bb
Bbm
F
D7
"Let the children lose it, let the children use it,
Gm
C
Let all the children boogie."
F
Dm
Starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He'd like to come and meet us
C
C7
But he thinks he'd blow our minds.
F
Dm
There's a starman waiting in the sky
Am
Am7/G
He's told us not to blow it
C
C7
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile, He told me,
Bb
Bbm
F
D7
"Let the children lose it, let the children use it,
Gm
C
Let all the children boogie."
Bb
F
C
F
Bb
F
C
F
La la la la la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Bb
F
C
F
La la la la la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Bb
F
C
F
La la la la la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la
Bb
F
C
F
La la la la la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la (Fade out)